“What a coincidence! All the others just happened to get into trouble?”
Zheng Bai Shi was surprised. In noble families like the Wei Yuan Earl’s household, when children were only interested in profit, they would inevitably fight bloodily over the family inheritance. “Although the Third Young Master isn’t the Wei Yuan Earl’s biological son, at least the Fourth Young Master is his blood brother from the same mother—”
As he asked this, Zheng Bai Shi sighed – weren’t disputes between brothers common in noble families?
Zhan Yang said, “In the Wei Yuan Earl’s household, except for the Second Young Master and Fourth Young Master having some bad habits, there’s not much else to investigate. It’s just strange that three people encountered problems simultaneously, and in the end, this son who wasn’t even the Earl’s biological child inherited the ancestral position.”
Zheng Bai Shi asked further, “What about their First Young Master?”
Zhan Yang shook his head, “We couldn’t find out. They say when he left home, he took nothing, not even servants. All his relatives and friends from that time have been questioned, but no one has seen him. No one knows where he went.”
Qin Wan frowned, suddenly having an unsettling thought.
This First Young Master of the Wei Yuan Earl’s household had been gone for so many years without a trace – could he have gone to the Western Regions?
Qin Wan couldn’t help thinking this way, especially since Daoist Zhang’s words had no clear direction, making any suspicious person worth questioning. After pondering this for a while, without any evidence or traces to prove it, she could only keep these thoughts to herself.
Zheng Bai Shi sighed, “A perfectly fine person disappeared – could something have happened to him outside?”
Naturally, no one knew the answer to this question. Zheng Bai Shi waved his hand, “Never mind, let’s keep a close watch. Just now His Highness and the Princess went to the prison to see that Daoist Zhang. He recognized that cinnabar pattern as an evil charm from the Moon Worship Cult. Those ashes were likely from burning spirit money or talismans. This matter is related to the Moon Worship Cult – the killer must have been to the West to learn these Moon Worship Cult practices. Now, besides investigating their private affairs, we must also investigate if any of them have been to the West, or if they know anyone who has been there.”
Zhan Yang listened with slight surprise, “Did Daoist Zhang say what this was for?”
Zheng Bai Shi sighed, “It’s for setting up a ritual arena, a soul-crossing arena, but it requires living sacrifices. It’s extremely sinister – these people must have truly gone mad…”
Zhan Yang listened with shock, “Shouldn’t Daoist Zhang know how to set up this arena?”
Zheng Bai Shi sighed, and Yan Chi said, “Daoist Zhang said he can only help after the third person dies. Right now, he doesn’t know what the killer intends to do. Naturally, we can’t fully trust his words now. Captain Zhan and Official Zheng should still investigate thoroughly, especially matters related to the Moon Worship Cult – we must pay special attention.”
Zhan Yang quickly nodded, “These past few days while making inquiries, we’ve also been investigating the Moon Worship Cult, but few in the capital know about these things. Two Daoist priests from temples outside the capital know of it, but they view the Moon Worship Cult as an evil cult and deeply despise it. We haven’t found anything else new yet. In the capital, Buddhism is primary, and Daoism is secondary. Noble families look down on the Moon Worship Cult, and common people don’t have the leisure to follow new sects.”
The Moon Worship Cult was a minor sect. Although Buddhism also came from the West, it had maintained its influence in the Central Plains for hundreds of years, becoming widely followed from the royal court down to common people. Especially when the previous dynasty’s royal family believed in Buddhism and built many temples throughout the country, Buddhist followers surpassed those of Daoism.
While they were discussing the case without results at the office, Yue Ning was heading out with two maids to purchase summer silk brocades needed for their household.
The An Yang Marquis’s family had just returned, and there was much to organize in the household. Recently, Lady Jiang has been busy with this daily. Since the Grand Princess had brought everyone back, they wouldn’t return to Jin Zhou anymore. Naturally, their capital residence needed to be properly arranged. Seeing Lady Jiang overwhelmed with work, and with Yue Qing accompanying the An Yang Marquis to visit friends, Yue Ning wanted to help her mother. Thus, the task of purchasing summer silk fell to her today.
Yue Ning rode in a carriage, with the capital’s steward leading two servants to guide the way. Having been away from the capital for many years, Yue Ning no longer knew which shops were good or bad – only with the steward’s guidance did she understand the proper procedures.
When the carriage arrived at the West Market, it first stopped outside the Jin Xiu Workshop. Just as she alighted from the carriage, Yue Ning saw a familiar figure. Their carriage had stopped in a position further back, and not far in front of them was another carriage. At this moment, a tall young man stood beside that carriage – even from behind, Yue Ning recognized him as Wei Qi Zhi!
Although Wei Qi Zhi had visited the An Yang Marquis’s residence, they hadn’t met. However, since Wei Qi Zhi had stayed at their Jin Zhou residence for some time, they were quite familiar with each other. Why was Wei Qi Zhi, a grown man, standing beside a carriage staring at the Jin Xiu Workshop’s entrance without going in?!
As this question arose in Yue Ning’s mind, her steps halted. After watching for a moment and seeing Wei Qi Zhi still hadn’t moved, she was about to go forward and greet him when suddenly Wei Qi Zhi’s body ducked beside the carriage!
Yue Ning raised an eyebrow – what was he hiding from?!
Looking up, she saw a young woman with a maid walking out of the Jin Xiu Workshop. The woman had a graceful figure and was quite beautiful. Although the maid behind her carried two rolls of brocade, the woman’s face showed worry, seemingly not delighted by her shopping. Yue Ning’s brows furrowed tightly as she looked between Wei Qi Zhi and the woman several times. After looking back and forth two or three times, Yue Ning was certain – Wei Qi Zhi hiding beside the carriage was monitoring that young woman…
In broad daylight, what was Wei Qi Zhi doing?!
Who was that woman?! Why would Wei Qi Zhi, a grown man, be monitoring a young woman?!
Yue Ning’s brows were tightly knitted as she stepped forward and heavily slapped Wei Qi Zhi’s shoulder!
Wei Qi Zhi had only one servant with him, and both were intently watching the woman leave the Jin Xiu Workshop. Yue Ning’s slap startled Wei Qi Zhi, making his brows jump, and the servant beside him was even more frightened!
The servant turned to see a clear-featured young noble and frowned. Wei Qi Zhi was initially annoyed, but upon recognizing who stood before him, his eyes immediately brightened!
“Princess?! How are you here?!”
Yue Ning’s expression was unfriendly, “I should be asking you! Who is that young lady? In broad daylight, you’re hiding in the shadows peeping at someone’s daughter – how is this different from being a lecher?!”
The servant beside them wasn’t Wu Shu and didn’t recognize Yue Ning, but upon hearing his master call her Princess, the servant was also startled.
Wei Qi Zhi knew he’d been discovered and looked quite uncomfortable, but said, “Princess misunderstands – things aren’t as you think…”
“How am I thinking of it? And what are you doing?”
Wei Qi Zhi’s bitter smile deepened as he turned to look in the direction the woman had gone. The mistress and servant hadn’t taken a carriage but were walking towards the civilian quarter in the west. Wei Qi Zhi looked anxious, seemingly unwilling to give up monitoring these two. He cupped his hands and said, “Princess truly misunderstands. This person is very important – please excuse me now, I can’t lose track of this person.”
As he spoke, he made to leave, but Yue Ning was still suspicious. She stepped forward to block him, “If you don’t explain, I won’t let you go. There are only two women… what exactly do you intend to do?”
Wei Qi Zhi was utterly helpless, “Princess, do you think I’m that kind of lustful person? This is for an official case…”
Hearing it was for a case, Yue Ning’s eyes lit up slightly, “How so?”
Wei Qi Zhi knew Yue Ning’s personality and realized he had to explain clearly, but time was running short.
Wei Qi Zhi said, “Princess, let me go first – I’ll come to your residence tomorrow to tell you, how about that?”
Yue Ning’s eyes rolled as she looked at the carriage, and then in the direction the woman and servant had gone. She raised her chin and said, “I’ll go with you, and you can tell me on the way.”
Then she waved for the steward to bring her horse. Yue Ning mounted the steward’s horse and raised her chin, “Aren’t you going?”
Wei Qi Zhi was stunned for a moment before getting into his carriage. The servant drove outside, and only when the carriage started moving did Wei Qi Zhi lift the curtain with an odd expression and say, “Why doesn’t the Princess ride in the carriage while I take the horse? Isn’t this backwards…”
Yue Ning raised an eyebrow, “Just explain what’s going on, that’s all.”
Speaking thus, Yue Ning rode her horse close to the carriage. Wei Qi Zhi smiled bitterly and said, “Princess must know about the deaths in the capital these past few days. His Highness, the Princess, and the Prefecture Chief are all investigating this case…”
Yue Ning nodded, “Of course I know.” She raised her chin, “So who is this person?”
Wei Qi Zhi explained, “This person might be the second victim’s – a teacher named Zhao Jia Xu’s – secret concubine. Zhao Jia Xu had a wife, and everyone thought he was a good husband who wouldn’t take concubines, but he had been deceiving his wife. The Prefecture Chief had people searching for two days without finding her. Today… oh right, Zhao Jia Xu taught at my uncle’s residence. When I went to my uncle’s today, I saw that little maid looking around outside. When I asked the servants, they said she was asking about Teacher Zhao’s murder, which made me suspicious.”
Yue Ning frowned, “If she were a household servant, she should ask the officials, not the former employer.”
Wei Qi Zhi smiled brightly at Yue Ning, “Exactly, exactly! The Princess is so intelligent!”
Yue Ning mentally rolled her eyes, “Continue.”
Wei Qi Zhi continued, “I thought the same as the Princess then, so I followed the little maid. After walking a street, just around the corner, I discovered the maid reporting back to that young lady. The lady appears to be around twenty but wears a married woman’s hairstyle. I immediately guessed she must be someone Zhao Jia Xu kept outside, so I followed along. She came to buy things, and now should be heading back – I need to know where she lives so I can inquire about her identity.”
After Wei Qi Zhi finished, Yue Ning understood everything – she had truly misunderstood Wei Qi Zhi.
Yue Ning watched ahead as the mistress and servant walked unhurriedly, so their carriage and horse maintained an even slower pace. “Surely this young lady didn’t kill that teacher…”
Wei Qi Zhi smiled, “Of course not, but the officials are looking for clues, and anyone closely connected to Teacher Zhao needs to be questioned. However, I’m not certain exactly what relationship this person had with Zhao Jia Xu, so I need to investigate and confirm first. Additionally, since Zhao Jia Xu worked at my uncle’s house, I’m also doing my part to help.”
Yue Ning glanced at Wei Qi Zhi, “In that case, I misunderstood you earlier. I apologize.”
Wei Qi Zhi laughed heartily, completely unbothered, “The Princess hates evil as one would an enemy. If I had truly been a lecher today, the Princess would have saved that young lady. Speaking of which, I haven’t properly thanked the Princess, the Grand Princess, the Marquis, and the Lady yet. When I visited that day, since the Marquis and Brother Yue Qing weren’t present, I didn’t stay long. If I hadn’t recovered at your residence back then, my leg might have been permanently damaged…”
Yue Ning said, “I know all about it. Fourth Sister was the one who helped you – we merely provided convenience. You’ve already sent gifts, so you’ve shown your gratitude. I heard from Fourth Sister that you’re involved in imperial commerce?”
Wei Qi Zhi smiled, “Not exactly imperial commerce. The Princess knows I love horses, and not knowing what else to do, I stuck with horse trading since I’m familiar with it. Plus, with my aunt in the palace, it provided some convenience. But only after doing it did I realize how heartbreaking it is – not everyone in the world loves horses as I do.”
Yue Ning understood Wei Qi Zhi’s meaning, “So what do you plan to do?”
Wei Qi Zhi shook his head, “Once you get involved with the palace, it’s hard to break away. I’ve acquired some grassland in the north, planning to set up my horse farm there to raise good horses. By the way, the horse I sent to the Princess was born to a mare queen I captured on the grasslands. Among its siblings, it has the gentlest temperament – the Princess will surely love it when it grows up.”
When Yue Ning first saw Wei Qi Zhi, she had misunderstood him. Now that the misunderstanding was cleared up and hearing Wei Qi Zhi speak of these things, she felt quite warm inside. Moreover, when she first met Wei Qi Zhi, he had been wrongly accused, having been set up by his brother and cousin, leaving him quite depressed. Now Wei Qi Zhi was bright and clear, his smile radiant, and talking with him made one feel quite cheerful.
As they talked, they slowly followed along several streets. Before long, they reached a somewhat secluded residential area in the west. The mistress and servant entered an alley and then went into a two-courtyard residence. The house wasn’t large, but it was sufficient for keeping a secret lover. Wei Qi Zhi noted the location of this residence, then asked Yue Ning, “I haven’t asked what brings the Princess out today – going to Jin Xiu Workshop, were you buying silk to make clothes?”
Yue Ning nodded. Earlier when she came over, she hadn’t brought anyone – the steward was currently buying silk. After thinking for a moment, Yue Ning added, “When we left the capital before, we were all still children. Now we all have our residences and need some antiques and paintings. Do you know which places in the capital are good for that?”
Wei Qi Zhi laughed when he heard this, “The Princess has asked the right person! Since we’ve followed them to their destination, and there’s no rush now, come along – I guarantee I’ll help the Princess find some good pieces!”